ShareThisQ: Do we really have to register for formal china?
A: Lots of couples are opting out of traditional registry items in favor of more practical swag. The only problem? You might actually want that fancy china down the road, and buying an entire set can cost thousands (yikes!).
One idea is to choose a china pattern that seamlessly mixes with everyday dishes. Team plain, white porcelain plates with bright orange or green salad bowls, or pair a fancy floral pattern with casual polka-dot dishes in the same color palette.
If the issue is that you don't think you'll find a formal china pattern that you like, think again. From whimsical swirl designs to mod stripes, the options are almost endless. If you're still not sold on the whole formal-china thing, that's OK, too. Just be sure you have enough basics for entertaining 12 people.
(Carley Roney, co-founder and editor in chief of The Knot, the nation's leading wedding resource, advises millions of brides on modern wedding etiquette at www.theknot.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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